Concussions are more common than people think. There are many causes of concussions, and because of this we have to be mindful of the symptoms of concussions. Concussions can be minor, but they can also be major injuries and affect all aspects of your lifestyle. In this post you will find the causes of concussion, the symptoms of concussion, and the best steps to start treating your concussion.
Medically What is A Concussion?
Simply put, a concussion is a brain injury. It is categorized as traumatic. It is a result of a head injury (see next section about causes). It occurs when the head is moving one way and either moves the either way or stops and the brain crashes against the inside of the skull. This creates some inflammation in the area and that is what can result in a concussion.
Causes of Concussion
The main cause of a concussion is some sort of blow to the head. This can be from playing contact sports, falling down, running into something, or a car accident.
How Do I Know If I Have a Concussion?
This is always a tough question to answer and that is because everyone presents with different symptoms. Some of you may have multiple symptoms and not have a concussion where as some of you may have one symptom and have a concussion. Not all of the symptoms of concussion are physical in nature. A concussion can effect the way you think and act. If you or someone you know are concerned the best thing to do is to consult a medical professional to decide on the next steps.
Concussion Symptoms:
Physical Signs and Symptoms of Concussion
Blurred Vision
Nausea
Headache
Vomiting
Fatigue
Ringing in the ears
Other signs and Symptoms of Concussion
Amnesia
Feeling like you are in a fog
Dizziness
Seeing Stars
In addition to these people may notice that you
Lose Consciousness
Have slower response times
Have Slurred Speech
Are more Forgetful than usual
Remember, that not everyone that has these symptoms has a severe concussion, but it is important to monitor your symptoms. Once diagnosed, a concussion can get better. If you aren't diagnosed with a concussion, then it may not get better. Some people may deal with symptoms of concussion for years even with a proper diagnosis.
I Have Been Diagnosed with a Concussion, Now What?
Now you get to begin the rehab process. Rehab for a concussion has its similarities and differences to rehab for muscle sprains and strains. Rest may be a component of rehab for a concussion, but it usually entails a slow, monitored return to activity.
For example: You may start back with just some slow walking on a treadmill to see if any of your concussion symptoms return. If they do, you should stop exercising immediately. Ignoring this can make things worse and it can take longer to heal. The brain is what is injured here, and you need to be mindful of what it is telling you.
The importance to have someone help monitor your return to activity is due to progression of exercise(s). There is no carbon copy from you to your neighbor recovering. Everyone is different (professional athletes range from 0 games missed to retirement).
We can help you get back to activity with a slow and measured approach. Sometimes a specialist is needed when things keep getting worse.
Highest Risk Sports For Concussion
This list of high school sports always surprises me, so I wanted to show it to you the top 10:
10. Boys' Basketball
9. Boys' Football
8. Girls' Lacrosse
7. Girls' Soccer
6. Boys' Wrestling
5. Girls' Basketball
4. Boys' Baseball
2. (tie) Boys' Lacrosse
2. (tie) Girls' Field Hockey
The number 1 sport: Boys' Ice Hockey
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